Tuesday, January 17, 2012

I.Am.A.Photographer

Aren't you? I love to take pictures, and I love to share them. I remember the first camera - a Christmas gift, I was in junior high, it was a Fuji Panoramic camera. It took special (ie. EXPENSIVE) film, but I loved it anyway. It took really wide angle shots, though in junior high I didn't appreciate this feature. I had this camera for probably close to ten years. I lost it (or rather I blame my then boyfriend/now husband, Jason, for losing it) on a camping trip. It was probably a year or two before I replaced this camera, and by that time digital was all the rage and coming down in price. I remember Jason balking at the price I paid for my Canon Powershot A520. It was over $500 with the memory card and accessories. You can buy it used on Ebay for 20 bucks today. It wasn't until a few years later that Jason finally admitted that it was a good investment. I still have this camera and use it for its video function once in a while. The camera I use most of the time now I received as a Christmas gift in 2009. It is a Canon Rebel XS. It is an entry level DSLR and I love it! Would I like to upgrade? Heck yes! But it's just not practical at the moment - someday though...someday!  For Christmas this year I got 2 new lenses for my camera and I am having so much fun with them. One is a portrait lens (Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II) and the other is a zoom lens (EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III).

Sooooo, as I was saying in my title, I am a photographer. Don't get me wrong, I am not a professional photographer, nor a trained photographer. I am instead a creative, fun, play with shots, make you smile kind of photographer. I love to take pictures of all kinds of different things, but mostly these days I can be found shoving my camera lens in my little girl's face. As an infant she likely didn't recognize my face without my extra shiny black flashing 'eye.' I have also started playing around with some photo editing and am having lots of fun learning how I can enhance my shots :) Take a minute to check out some of my 'work' (sounds professional eh?), and let me know what you think! And after you have - pick up your camera (or cellphone) and go be a PHOTOGRAPHER too!



 (Lucy doesn't use a soother, she was always a thumb girl. But she was very interested in the soother she dug out of the bottom of her diaper bag from when she was an infant!)
 


Had to throw in a cat picture so you don't think Lucy is the ONLY thing I take pictures of!



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Hats, Hats, Hats!

So last week I told you I had a hat obsession - not an exaggeration by any means! My journey into crochet was so that I could replicate a hat, that I had seen at a craft fair, for my daughter. I came home eager and excited for this new hobby that I will pursue and my husband says to me, "You know, it would probably be cheaper in the long run if you had just paid the $30+ for the hat." Well take note dear hubby cause I don't say this often, but you were right! 3 crochet hooks (all different sizes of course!), 7 balls of yarn, and numerous hours later, I still do not have the hat made that I originally NEEDED so badly, nor do I have the supplies on hand to actually make it.  I do however have a few other adorable hats finished and wanted to share them with you!


I made the little penguin based on a hat a friend of mine had for her little one last year. I plan to add a flower or bow to it to make it more girly.







 I love the look of the thick, chunky wool. And the red in the hat matches her pea coat perfectly!


I think she likes it too!


Monday, January 9, 2012

Have you pinned yet?

A few months back I found a website that would change my life. Pinterest. Seriously, if you have not heard of this site click the link and check it out. Pinterest is a site for crafters, DIYers, foodies, decorators, organizers...EVERYONE! The best way I can think to explain the site is as visual bookmarks. I have spent many hours on this site exploring, planning, daydreaming, drooling, and wistfully wishing! As a teacher, a crafter, and a mom this site speaks to me on so many different levels. So once again I encourage you - if you have not checked this site out, DO IT NOW!





Okay, now that you have checked it out, (as I can only assume that you followed my advice) I will tell you about a few of my favorite 'pins.' Click the pictures to check them out!


Random Tutorial Generator - enough said right? Press the button and you get a new tutorial. Great way to waste an afternoon (or a weekend?)



Fabric Flower tutorials - great for baby headbands, brooches, purse clips...there are so many uses for a cute fabric flower, and now I know how to make 40 different varieties!


This one doesn't link anywhere - but I just liked it. Pinterest also has lots of funny and /or inspirational little sayings/pictures!

So now that you have been introduced to pinterest.com, go waste a few hours away and find lots of things you need and didn't know it and lots of things you want to make!


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Crochet Hat Obsession

My obsession with crochet hats began when my daughter Lucy was born. Every newborn baby is given a teeny tiny little hat shortly after their entry into the world. Lucy's hat was white and so soft (though I believe it was knitted as opposed to crocheted...) She quickly outgrew her little hat and I wanted to replace it with one that was warm, soft and adorably cute. Without the skills to knit or crochet I adorned Lucy with store bought hats until we received a strawberry hat as a gift from a friend. She wore the strawberry hat on every outing last winter, even though it didn't match a thing she wore.

As winter approached this year I set out to find a cute, unique, handmade hat for Lucy to wear. I searched on Etsy, on many Facebook Fanpages, and at numerous Craft Fairs - and came out empty-handed. Don't get me wrong, I found tons of lovely pieces that I would LOVE to put on my little girls head - but then I would see the prices. YIKES! I found myself saying "I could totally do that." And so I did!

So with a little bit of research and a trip to Michaels to get supplies -  I was off on operation 'Learn to Crochet.' After a few frustrating evenings of watching Youtube videos and checking out crochet tutorials I got the hang of it and my first hat took shape. I finished the hat in just a few days and I was quite proud of myself - though the hat was too small for little Lucy's head (guess they have patterns and sizing for a reason...).

The picture isn't great but you get the idea - I even added a pretty little flower.
 I just finished making my fourth hat and wanted to share it. It is a hat for my sister. She was home for Christmas and picked out the yarn for her hat. I think it turned out pretty good. As I was nearing the end of the hat my yarn was running low (not a good thing when you live an hour and a half from Michaels).


My next hat will be one for Lucy with some thick, chunky colorful yarn to go with her pea coat. Although I am only new to the art of crochet I have lots of cute ideas that I plan to share with you in the future! I would also love to hear where your inspiration comes from!



Sunday, January 1, 2012

Hello 2012!

2011 was a busy and wonderful year for myself and my family and now I have set my sights on 2012! After spending a lot of the the last year discovering and reading many different craft and life blogs I have decided to give blogging a try! I look forward to creating and sharing with everyone!


Happy New Year Everyone!